Electronic Associates, Inc. (EAI) was founded in 1945 by Lloyd F. Christianson and Arthur L. Adamson and began manufacturing analog computers in 1952.

[2] As digital technology matured, they began production of both hybrid digital/analog systems, such as the EAI680 with 156 amplifiers, diode function generators and servo-controlled potentiometers to control input parameters, and digital computers such as the EAI 640.

[5] Other notable employees include Hans Witsenhausen and board member Everard Mott Williams.

In 1963, the company acquired Pacific Data Systems (PDS) from Mesa Scientific Corporation of Inglewood, California.

[6] PDS continued to operate as a subsidiary of EAI for several years, manufacturing general-purpose minicomputers built into desks.